Purdue volleyball: Looking back, looking ahead

Purdue's Azariah Stahl with a dig against Oral Roberts in the third set Friday, August 25, 2017, at Holloway Gymnasium on the campus of Purdue University. Purdue defeated Oral Roberts 25-15, 25-13, 25-20.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

Looking back

Purdue volleyball is coming off an impressive weekend that included sweeps over Oral Roberts, Cleveland State and Alabama to win the Mortar Board Premier.

Some underlying storylines though were her younger sister Shavona (more on her in my next post).

I think the most important thing we saw from the first real competition was the improvements as a passer for senior Azariah Stahl.

Last season was her first as a collegiate six-rotation player. She had good nights, but mixed in some not so good nights. Right now, she's second on the team (behind libber Brooke Peters) with 28 digs. She had 15 against Alabama.

"I thought the match against Alabama was the best defensive match she’s ever played," Purdue coach Dave Shondell said. "For us to be great. She has to be great at everything she does. She’s getting closer and closer to that step."

A stellar blocker and powerful hitter, Stahl knows how important it is for her to have a complete game in her last season and worked to make sure she became more than a reliable passer.

"I am much more confident," Stahl said after the Alabama match. "I have to have that confident mindset that I want the ball to come to me and I will make the play."

Looking ahead

The Boilermakers are saddled up for a trip to Laramie, Wyoming to compete against Jacksonville, Eastern Michigan and Wyoming in what should be three more victories and more opportunities to get young players experience at the Wyoming Invitational.

"The competition on the surface may not appear to be as strong, but all three of those teams had respectable opening weekends in my opinion," Shondell said. "I think the level of competition there got better this week based on their results and I think that will help get us motivated to prepare for them."